BEER lovers flocked to a popular festival to soak up the sun and enjoy some top quality ales.

The Colchester branch of the Campaign for Real Ale is holding its 32nd Ale and Cider Festival.

Hosted at Colchester Arts Centre, the festival is a hub of activity, with hundreds of visitors enjoying more than 160 real ales, ciders and perries.

There is still time to enjoy a tipple with the last day of the festival taking place tomorrow.

Tony Smith, of Camra, said: “We don’t yet have the results from our excellent beer tasting but the festival is going very nicely.

“With access to the churchyard it makes everywhere a little less crowded.

“So far it has been extremely successful and everyone is having a lovely time.

“There is a great range of beers here, both locally and from all across the country.

“We have still got untapped ales to come and there are plenty of ales in all styles to last until our chairman calls time on Saturday night.”

Entry is free until noon and £3 afterwards.

For more information, see colchestercamra.org.uk.